Couple's Peace The Mothership Chenin Blanc

Couple's Peace The Mothership Chenin Blanc 2023

The Mothership is the ultimate Chenin Blanc from the ArtiSons gallery in Stellenrust, sourced from 1964 bush vines on granite in the Bottelary Hills. You'll taste ripe white peach and licorice pear on a stone fruit core, with tight minerality and a lively, finely coated acidity. At Perfectewijn, this is a pure, concentrated Chenin in a modern, texture-driven style.

Vineyards and region

The grapes come from old bush vines from 1964 in the Bottelary Hills ( Stellenbosch ), grown without irrigation and without tying. Granite soils impart tension and a saline-mineral character, while low yields ensure intense fruit. ArtiSons is Stellenrust 's creative playroom, where Tertius and Kobe craft small cuvées from their most characterful plots. The Mothership is the crown jewel within this, designed to express the essence of Bottelary Chenin.

Vinification and maturation

Harvest takes place between 22nd and 24th Balling, with 6 to 12 hours of skin maceration for added aromatic depth and texture. Fermentation takes place with wild yeasts in a 2000-liter foudre and in concrete eggs, slow and temperature-controlled for maximum precision. Afterward, the young wine, along with its primary lees, is transferred to concrete for maturation on the coarse lees for up to 12 months. What exactly does maturation on the fine lees in concrete eggs do to the flavor? The constant, gentle circulation within the egg keeps the lees in suspension, resulting in more creaminess, detail, and length without the wood overpowering the aromas.

Grape composition

Chenin Blanc 100 percent, from the 1964 Bottelary planting. Old vines produce smaller berries and greater concentration, which is reflected in the depth of the fruit and the layered structure.

Tasting notes and serving suggestions

Intense white peach and licorice pear on the nose, leading to a stone fruit-driven palate with a tight, clean minerality and a lively, finely coated acidity. The texture is rich but not heavy, and the finish lingers with a subtle saltiness. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius with Thai green curry, spicy Indian dishes with buttery naan, or with black pepper-crusted tuna and crisp lettuce.

Awards

• 2018 – 95 points (Tim Atkin MW); 5 stars (Platter's Wine Guide); winner of the Standard Bank Top 10 Chenin Blanc Challenge

• 2019 – 95 points (Tim Atkin MW)

• 2020 – 96 points (Tim Atkin MW)

• 2021 – 96 points (Tim Atkin MW); 94 points / 4.5 stars (Platter's Wine Guide)